legwork

noun

leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk How to pronounce legwork (audio)
 also  ˈlāg-
: active physical work (as in gathering information) that forms the basis of more creative or mentally exacting work (such as writing a book)

Examples of legwork in a Sentence

I wrote the article myself, but my assistant gathered the information and did most of the other legwork.
Recent Examples on the Web Seven of Miami’s 10 starting field players on Wednesday night were above the age of 30, including DeAndre Yedlin and Julian Gressel, two of the players who are being tasked doing the literal legwork that the Barca Boys can’t. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Other characters soon enter the picture, including Jim Doty, Ryan Avis and Tony Kava, a trio of Iowa law enforcers who smell something fishy and start doing the legwork (or, in the case of Kava, an eccentric hacker, the computer work) to prove their hunches. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2024 And now, Rader can rely on his following to do some of the legwork too. Callum Sutherland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024 So if a company sends you a solicitation offering to do the legwork for you in exchange for a fee, think twice. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024 Sure, getting a Birkin takes some legwork, but Blockbuster merch? Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2024 Do the legwork yourself Shoppers can also often avoid return fees by taking the item to the store themselves. Nerdwallet, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2024 Doing the extra legwork Social media, outside company bonding, and cross-team events are all opportunities to go the extra mile to strengthen your brand. Rachel Shin, Fortune, 30 July 2023 Wirecutter has already done some of the legwork for you: Our editors have spent the year vetting sweet, silly and sentimental gifts, and many of our picks are on sale right now. Melissa Kirsch Andrew Lavallee Melissa Clark, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legwork was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near legwork

Cite this Entry

“Legwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legwork. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

legwork

noun
leg·​work ˈleg-ˌwərk How to pronounce legwork (audio)
: the work involved in gathering information

More from Merriam-Webster on legwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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